The practice of poaching Rhino’s for their horns has long been an issue that plagues the greater Kurger region, and Africa as a whole for decades now.
According to WWF, rhino’s are relentlessly poached for their horns, that are crushed into a powder form and dissolved in water. Traditional Asian beliefs state that the horns can be used for traditional medicine to treat a variety of illnesses, including cancer, fevers, and hangovers.
Despite a number of studies proving that rhino horns offer no medical benefits at all, the illegal trade and distribution of the commodity continues to thrive.
As Richard Elli, author of “Tiger bone and rhino horn” wrote in 2005 for the EAZA Rhino Campaign’s Info Pack, ‘It is not clear that rhino horn serves any medicinal purpose whatsoever, but it is a testimony to the power of tradition that millions of people believe that it does. If people want to believe in prayer, acupuncture or voodoo as a cure for what ails them, there is no reason why they shouldn’t, but if animals are being killed to provide nostrums that have been shown to be useless, then there is a very good reason to curtail the use of rhino horn. It is heartbreaking to realise that the world’s rhinos are being eliminated from the face of the Earth in the name of medications that probably don’t work.’
To try and bring an end to this inhumane practice, The Rhino Revolution has come together to protect and support rhino and other endangered species in the greater Kruger region. Rhino Revolution was founded in 2011 by the concerned citizens of Hoedspruit, including respected rhino conservationists and private nature reserve owners, who came together to try and reduce the escalating poaching crisis in this critically important rhino conservation area.
Rhino Revolution initially started as nothing more than a community based action group, but has quickly grown into a internationally recognised NPO. Rhino Revolution takes a holistic approach to saving this majestic species, this includes local and global community involvement, engagement and education through the provision of a world class Orphanage and Rehabilitation Centre.
To ensure that the rhino’s are released back into the wild quickly and safely, the Orphanage and Rehabilitation Centre is run as closed facility with minimal human contact, as their ultimate goal is to release the rescued animals back into the wild, as undomesticated, self-sustaining individuals.
Along with tirelessly working to save the rhino population, Rhino Revolution have also assisted other animals in need. As recently as April of this year, the group assisted with caring for, and subsequently re-introducing 7 young black-backed jackal into a nearby reserve.
Before the jackal were released, they will be vaccinated for rabies and monitored closely in a boma for a few weeks to make sure they are fit and healthy.
If you would like to play your part in saving the rhino species simply give them a like on Facebook or donate to the Rhino Revolution by clicking here. All donations, small or large go towards protecting this majestic animal for future generations.
Image: Pixabay
